Réflexions sur Der Schwierige d’Hugo von Hofmannsthal

This contribution attempts to give a new interpretation of Hugo von Hofmannsthal’s comedy Der Schwierige. The analysis of the main character’s distrust towards language reveals his inner contradictions. They are the result of a problematic relationship with time, whose ethical implications only beco...

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Main Author: Pauline Belvèze
Format: Article
Language:deu
Published: Presses universitaires de Strasbourg 2018-12-01
Series:Recherches Germaniques
Subjects:
Online Access:http://journals.openedition.org/rg/375
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author Pauline Belvèze
author_facet Pauline Belvèze
author_sort Pauline Belvèze
collection DOAJ
description This contribution attempts to give a new interpretation of Hugo von Hofmannsthal’s comedy Der Schwierige. The analysis of the main character’s distrust towards language reveals his inner contradictions. They are the result of a problematic relationship with time, whose ethical implications only become visible through the experience of the First World War. The character’s unwillingness to get married even after the war reveals that he has become aware of his past mistakes. But this refusal shows also that he hasn’t understood the mystery of life. This mystery lies in the manifestation of a timeless and divine principle in each human being, which only an enduring relationship between two persons may reveal. The ethical message of the play results from Hofmannsthal’s reflections on the essence of the world and of human beings and finds an appropriate aesthetic expression in comedy.
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spelling doaj.art-f6f51f6239144217a9e3cfb7c0938a8f2022-12-21T19:57:36ZdeuPresses universitaires de StrasbourgRecherches Germaniques0399-19892649-860X2018-12-0148314410.4000/rg.375Réflexions sur Der Schwierige d’Hugo von HofmannsthalPauline BelvèzeThis contribution attempts to give a new interpretation of Hugo von Hofmannsthal’s comedy Der Schwierige. The analysis of the main character’s distrust towards language reveals his inner contradictions. They are the result of a problematic relationship with time, whose ethical implications only become visible through the experience of the First World War. The character’s unwillingness to get married even after the war reveals that he has become aware of his past mistakes. But this refusal shows also that he hasn’t understood the mystery of life. This mystery lies in the manifestation of a timeless and divine principle in each human being, which only an enduring relationship between two persons may reveal. The ethical message of the play results from Hofmannsthal’s reflections on the essence of the world and of human beings and finds an appropriate aesthetic expression in comedy.http://journals.openedition.org/rg/375Hoffmansthalcomedyhuman selfspeechrelationship human self/world
spellingShingle Pauline Belvèze
Réflexions sur Der Schwierige d’Hugo von Hofmannsthal
Recherches Germaniques
Hoffmansthal
comedy
human self
speech
relationship human self/world
title Réflexions sur Der Schwierige d’Hugo von Hofmannsthal
title_full Réflexions sur Der Schwierige d’Hugo von Hofmannsthal
title_fullStr Réflexions sur Der Schwierige d’Hugo von Hofmannsthal
title_full_unstemmed Réflexions sur Der Schwierige d’Hugo von Hofmannsthal
title_short Réflexions sur Der Schwierige d’Hugo von Hofmannsthal
title_sort reflexions sur der schwierige d hugo von hofmannsthal
topic Hoffmansthal
comedy
human self
speech
relationship human self/world
url http://journals.openedition.org/rg/375
work_keys_str_mv AT paulinebelveze reflexionssurderschwierigedhugovonhofmannsthal